COVID-19 GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE PLAN - PROGRESS REPORT - OCHA
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GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN
RESPONSE PLAN
COVID-19
PROGRESS SECOND EDITION
31 AU G U S T 2020
REPORT
G H R P P R O G R E S S R E P O RT : 31 A U G U S T 2020
Table of contents At a glance
02 At a glance
03 Operational context
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives and livelihoods of
the most vulnerable people are enormous, both in terms of the number of
05 Adapting the field response
people infected and the profound economic crisis that has been unleashed.
07 Protection
Individuals and population groups who were already suffering from violence,
10 Food security
stigma, discrimination and unequal access to basic services and living
13 Financial overview
conditions are bearing the brunt of this new crisis. The COVID-19 Global
14 Funding per appeal Humanitarian Response Plan (GHRP) analyses and responds to the direct
16 Flexible and unearmarked funding public health and indirect humanitarian consequences of the pandemic,
18 Pooled funds: CERF and CBPFs particularly on people in countries already facing other crises.
21 Progress of the response The scope and the scale of the third iteration of the GHRP released on 16 July demonstrate
25 Monitoring indicators the increasing reach and devastating consequences of the pandemic. The GHRP July update
aims to provide aid to 250 million people in 63 countries,1 over twice the number of people
initially targeted for humanitarian aid at the beginning of the year when the Global Humanitarian
Overview covering 55 countries was launched in December 2019. Funding requirements to
address immediate humanitarian needs caused by or exacerbated by COVID-19 rose from $6.71
billion in May to $10.31 billion in mid-July. The GHRP is currently only 23 per cent funded, with
humanitarian partners reporting $2.36 billion of funding. See below for an overview of the cost
components, and pages 13–15 for more detail on the funding progress.
COST COMPONENT REQUIREMENTS (US$)
Country-level Responses 8.49 B
Global Response 1.83 B
Famine prevention Measures and put stocks in place to limit the possibility 500.0 M
of famine in the most vulnerable communities
NGO envelope Unallocated supplemental funding for NGOs, in addition to 300.0 M
country-level requirements, to bolster NGO rapid response actions and allow
NGOs to redirect their response as quickly as the pandemic evolves
Support services Humanitarian air transport, Medevac, and stranded migrants 1.03 B
TOTAL 10.31 B
Looking ahead, in the 2021 Humanitarian Needs Overviews and Humanitarian Response
Plans, the effects of COVID-19 will be considered together with other shocks or stresses
affecting the population. In consequence, the GHRP will be merged with the Global
Humanitarian Overview. In most cases, COVID-19 will be one of numerous causes of
humanitarian needs, with the health and socio-economic impacts of the pandemic
intersecting with other health, nutrition, food security, livelihoods and protection risks faced
by different population groups.
Strengthened humanitarian-development collaboration will therefore be crucial to help reinforce
Sana'a, Yemen
A volunteer guides and instructs children in the streets
the humanitarian response and foster complementarity across other ongoing or planned
of Sana'a on the right way to wash their hands. responses, avoiding duplication and identifying areas or groups for whom development or
Dhia Al-Adimi/UNICEF socio/economic responses may be more appropriate. This will provide opportunities to share
data and analysis, with mutual benefits on the depth of the needs analysis.
This Progress Report summarizes the collective response to the humanitarian impacts of
1
While no new countries have been added, the July
COVID-19 in the 63 countries covered by the GHRP. It presents an update on the operational
iteration includes the humanitarian component of context; examples of how humanitarian partners continue to adapt their field responses; in-
existing intersectoral plans for countries where the focus sections on Protection and Food Security; a funding overview and analysis; information
needs of vulnerable people were not covered under
on how pooled funds are supporting the response; and an update on the strategic response
regional refugee and/or migrant plans. These countries
are Bangladesh, Djibouti, Ecuador, Jordan, Kenya, priorities and progress against key indicators. Subsequent versions of this report will be
Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. issued in late September and October.
G H R P P R O G R E S S R E P O RT : 31 A U G U S T 2020
Operational context
APPEALS INCLUDED IN THE GHRP CONFIRMED CASES CONFIRMED DEATHS
52 8.86 M 321k
OF WHICH:
HRP 24 RMRP 2
RRP 5 OTHER 21
Number of new cases
in the past 14 days
More than 100,000
50,000 – 99,999
10,000 – 49,999
1,000 – 9,999
100 – 999
Less than 100
Source: World Health Organization. covid19.who.int
The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to have dramatic effects on Strong evidence is emerging of the negative effects of the pandemic
the world’s most vulnerable people. As of 28 August, the total number on food security with an increasing threat of famine in some countries,
of COVID-19 cases in the 63 GHRP countries had reached 8.9 million disruption of immunization campaigns, the impact on children from dis-
and at least 321,000 people are reported to have died. GHRP countries ruptions to education, and on gender-based violence. The threat of famine
in Latin America and the Caribbean continue to represent the majority and more poverty continue to increase as a result of COVID-19 mitigation
of cases and deaths. Cases in the Middle East and North Africa have measures, including movement restrictions to limit the spread of the virus,
increased over the past month. While reported cases have declined and other drivers of acute food insecurity. According to a joint FAO-WFP
in Africa and Asia Pacific, this is not consistent across all countries in early warning analysis of food insecure hotspots, 27 countries are in dan-
these regions due to a variety of factors, which include domestic testing ger of a sharp deterioration in food insecurity. Funding remains poor for
capacity, socio-economic factors, state of health systems and existing food security interventions, despite widespread recognition of a potential
vulnerabilities. As well, there are many examples from across the world massive food crisis in many vulnerable and highly exposed contexts. Ur-
where a temporary downturn in cases has been reversed. gent and massively scaled-up assistance is needed now to address the
The cost of not adequately addressing the pandemic will be devastating magnitude of the potential crisis.
to the lives of people and in the economies of these countries. The cost Disruptions to immunization services continue to be widespread and have
of delays in action will only grow. Analysis carried out by OCHA and its affected countries in all regions. As of 24 August, vaccine preventable
partners indicate that the COVID-19 virus could infect up to 640 million disease campaigns in 45 GHRP countries (over 70 per cent of the GHRP
people and kill 1.67 million of the world’s most vulnerable populations in countries) had been fully or partially postponed or canceled due to the
32 low-income countries and push at least 71 to 100 million people into pandemic. At the same time, some routine services have resumed and
extreme poverty if urgent action is not taken by the international com- planning is currently underway for vaccine campaigns that had previously
munity.1 Humanitarian agencies are stepping up to respond to COVID-19 been suspended. Examples are measles campaigns in Burundi, Central Af-
and sustain ongoing operations but are facing increasing pressure as the rican Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and Nepal, and
pandemic continues to compound existing fragility and vulnerabilities. a tetanus-diphtheria campaign in Mali. Implementation is still hindered by
3
1
See The Price of Inaction during the COVID-19 Crisis, 15 July 2020.
G H R P P R O G R E S S R E P O RT : 31 A U G U S T 2020
the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), considerations on safety COVID-19 restrictions on movement continue to constrain humanitarian
issues of health workers, the fear of increased COVID-19 transmission, operations. While, there has been a gradual relaxation and reopening of
lockdown policy and logistics issues. economies and airspace, local NGOs and national staff continue to face
Education continues to be one of the most affected sectors, and one significant challenges, and in some locations the humanitarian presence
where long-term consequences may be most severe. As of August 2020, is less than before the pandemic, despite the rising needs on the ground.
more than one billion learners have been affected by COVID-19 related Quarantine measures continue to be negotiated to ease the restrictions
school closures. Over half a billion of those learners (more than 250 placed on humanitarians and allow better and more efficient movement
million women and girls and 300 million boys and men) are in 45 GHRP within and into countries. However, States must grant humanitarian work-
countries. Only 83 countries reported that distance education was
2 ers and goods special exemptions so we can continue and increase our
reaching vulnerable or marginalized groups. According to a UNICEF report footprint to reach the most vulnerable.
published on 27 August, an estimated 463 million children worldwide have Despite all of these challenges, Humanitarian agencies have sustained and
been unable to access remote learning amid the coronavirus pandemic expanded life-saving programs, using new approaches wherever necessary.
and widespread school closures. Without urgent attention to this educa- Existing programmes have been reconfigured, and significant progress
tion crisis, millions of children are at risk of not returning to school and has been made towards the objectives of the GHRP. But additional strong
are at greater risk of forced marriage, exploitation and abuse as well as donor support is required.
increased poverty levels.
Recognizing the increase in gender-based violence (GBV) as one of the
consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased lockdowns
and lack of support for vulnerable groups, increased attention to GBV was
included in updated country response plans. This year, the Emergency
Relief Coordinator has committed $100 million from the Central Emergen-
cy Response Fund’s (CERF) Underfund Emergencies window to support 10
countries, of which at least $5.5 million are earmarked for GBV. Increased
programming is taking place in GHRP countries but continue to be ham-
pered by limited funding.
2
UNESCO, Global Monitoring of School Closures caused by COVID-19, dashboard as of 2 August 2020. 4
G H R P P R O G R E S S R E P O RT : 31 A U G U S T 2020
Operational context:
Adapting the field response
This section provides examples of how humanitarian partners have and unable to continue their regular activities which leads to stress and
adapted their programmes and service delivery to an operational context tensions. Families have also received tips and guidance on how to sup-
strongly influenced by the pandemic to ensure that COVID-related and port their children through radio broadcasts, WhatsApp messages, and
other assistance reaches those in need. community engagement sessions. In addition, over 200 members of the
community-based child protection networks, including social workers and
In Afghanistan, hotlines receiving calls from women, recent surveys
teachers, were trained to provide psychosocial support and counselling to
and reports from NGOs show that, across Afghanistan, violence against
families and children, making it possible to continue the response in the
women and girls has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly,
months ahead.
services for GBV survivors, including healthcare, police, justice and social
services, are particularly impacted by the crisis. A COVID-19 Gender in In Central African Republic’s capital, Bangui, the incidence of GBV and
Humanitarian Action Working Group has been established to lead the sexual violence affecting children patients increased from 37 per cent in
analysis and planning of gender-focused response to the pandemic. Pro- 2019 to 50 per cent between April and June 2020. Humanitarian partners
tection partners have scaled up protection monitoring and specialized have been providing targeted programmes to allow children to have
support to mitigate against GBV and child protection risks and address access to alert mechanisms in their communities. Advocacy for flexible
the needs of GBV survivors. Protection partners are providing individual funding has also been carried out with donors to encourage more funds
protection assistance, cash grants for vulnerable households with acute for the GBV response.
protection need, and psychosocial support.
In Sudan,the American Refugee Committee (supported by the Sudan
According to local authorities in Ukraine, since the start of the restrictive Humanitarian Fund) adapted procedures at water points to prevent
measures in response to COVID-19 there has been a 30 per cent increase crowds and encourage safe distancing while queueing. In Bielel, Gereida,
nationwide in the number of calls seeking support to address domestic Dimsu and other settlements for displaced people in South Darfur, the
violence. The increase in eastern Ukraine is 40-60 per cent. In response, time at water points was increased to prevent overcrowding and make
nearly 200 specialists from local state institutions, NGOs and CSOs have sure everyone could collect sufficient water for drinking and domestic use.
received online training on the principles of psychosocial care by UNFPA. The organisation also included COVID-19 prevention messages as part of
Additionally, UNFPA, together with the National Police and the Ministry of hygiene awareness campaigns and are building hand-washing facilities
Interior Affairs, has developed information materials for GBV survivors at the water points. Community volunteers are being trained to pass on
on how to keep safe from abuse or violence during the pandemic. knowledge about the importance of hand washing other guidance.
In Sudan, UNICEF is providing children with psychosocial support to deal In the Philippines, Oxfam brought together local humanitarian organisations,
with stress caused by COVID-19. UNICEF and partners have provided local government, and the private sector (Microsoft and PayMaya, a mobile
psychosocial support to nearly 36,000 students in While Nile State, more and digital payments company) in a partnership to deliver digital cash
than 2,700 of them refugees. With the closure of schools and movement transfers to urban poor families who had lost their income and had confirmed
restrictions, children are spending most of their time inside their homes COVID-19 cases. The cash support enabled access to food, medicine, water,
GRAND'ANSE DEPARTAMENT, HAITI 5
Distribution of hygiene kits and cash to beneficiaries of the municipalities of Jérémie, Abricot, Bonbon and Dame-Marie. John Rutherford/CARE
G H R P P R O G R E S S R E P O RT : 31 A U G U S T 2020
and hygiene items. The use of an electronic prepaid card, supplemented by Partners supported by the Sudan Humanitarian Fund are using meg-
training on digital transactions, helps reduce the risk of virus transmission; is aphones and mobile campaigns in Darfur. Social workers from Nada
efficient and transparent; and provides families access to financial services Elazhar Organization for Disaster Prevention and Sustainable Develop-
beyond the COVID-19 response. ment in North Darfur had to reduce the number of participants at the
sessions they organize on protection, including training, psychosocial
In Ethiopia, the Addis Ababa Mayor’s Office has formed a public-pri-
support, and campaigns. To make sure they could reach all people in need
vate coalition with private sector companies (Dalberg Group and Roha
of support, the frequency of the sessions—that now include COVID-19
Group) and NGOs, including Save the Children, to launch a project called
awareness messages—has been increased. In South and East Darfur,
Tenachin Bejachin which means “our health is in our hands”. The project
ALSalam Organization for Rehabilitation and Development also adapted
is expected to help people living in high-risk communities that struggle
some of it on-going protection work with the displaced community and
with access to water, soap, and other compounding challenges. It will
started campaigns using cars and megaphones to explain to people living
also support businesses that are critical to ensuring the economic health
in displacement camps how to protect themselves and their families from
of communities. The project has a total potential value of $6 million to
COVID-19. More than 26,000 people received the messages.
support 1.2 million COVID-19 vulnerable people in the capital city over
the next six months. To support the delivery of cash and voucher assistance programming
in Colombia, the Cash Working Group is producing a CVA risk matrix for
In Yemen, the WASH cluster carried out a rapid assessment (phone/
COVID-19. The matrix offers an analysis of potential internal and external
online) in the first half of April on COVID-19 to understand knowledge,
risks, their associated probability and potential impact, and identifies
risk perception, attitudes and practice in relation to the pandemic. As a
relevant mitigation measures.
result, for example in Aden, humanitarian partners have been scaling up
awareness raising by using community radio and social media. Partners
NEWS FROM THE CONNECTING BUSINESS INITIATIVE (CBi) 3
are also using megaphones, mosque microphones after each daily call to
CBi member networks are local response mechanisms that are particu-
prayer, and amplifiers installed in IDP centres. The UN and partners have
larly important in situations such as COVID-19 when traditional response
reached 16.5 million people with COVID-related awareness materials
mechanisms may not be able to deploy or fully meet local needs. The
through multiple platforms. This includes 13.5 million people reached
following examples demonstrate their value as first responders and
by text message, 10 million people who have viewed materials on social
stakeholders in response while working closely with the government and
media platforms, 3.6 million people reached through sermons in local
humanitarian community.
mosques, and 3.2 million people reached through house-to-house visits.
During the past three months, the CBi local network in Haiti, Alliance pour
The Cash Consortium for Iraq has developed a brief analysing the impact
la Gestion des Risques et la Continuité des Activités (AGERCA), together
of COVID-19 on prices, markets and household-level consumption. Using
with its partners, has acted in the fight against the coronavirus both in the
data collected across five governorates since March 2020, the brief ex-
field and on digital platforms. AGERCA launched the Response Platform
amines the impact of the recent crisis on the market system and access
of Civil Society Organizations (PROC19), an initiative that brings together
to goods; identifies potential points of critical hardship; and reviews the
several civil society organizations to carry out responses to this health
geographic distribution of those effects.
crisis. The network also conducted an impact survey of the effect of COV-
In Afghanistan, OCHA developed a guidance note on the procedures and ID-19 on small- and medium-sized Haitian enterprises, distributed hygiene
coordination of Medevac/Casevac requests from international NGOs kits, and provided training on health and safety measures.
and the diplomatic community. The note includes costs and capacity
In Madagascar, the CBi network, Private Sector Humanitarian Platform,
constraints, a list of 14 procedures to be used through the request pro-
distributed 200 solar radios and educational kits in rural areas for families
cess, and 10 annexes with the required paperwork. These details were
to receive COVID-19 related news and for children to follow classes. The
then communicated to the INGOs through the International NGO Safety
network continued to distribute the illustrated children’s book CORO-
Organisation, with whom OCHA is coordinating to confirm requests, and
NABOKY for awareness raising; maintained food distribution at the prison
UNAMA, the entity responsible for coordinating the evacuations. A UN-
of Antanimora; took specific health-supporting actions to enhance hospital
AMA-contracted Medevac jet is now equipped with an isolation capsule
capacity among other things; and a project was carried out with the Akany
for transporting COVID-19 patients, which puts it within non-stop range
Iarivo Mivoy Homeless Shelter to improve their infrastructure and offerings.
of most European airports. The capsule was utilized for an in-country
Medevac less than 24 hours after it was delivered to Kabul. Due to the
lack of appropriate and secure medical facilities in country, UNOPS is
constructing a five-bed intensive care facility in a UNAMA compound in
Kabul funded by UK DFID and the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund. The
facility is to be a "turn-key" package for international NGOs, UN, and
international community.
In Yemen, in-person distributions of food and other items are follow-
ing social-distancing protocols, including markings on the ground to
ensure adequate space between beneficiaries. Some partners have also
developed low-tech “foot pedals” for ad-hoc water tanks. These allow
individuals no-contact access to water from the tank without having to
touch a tap. About 2,700 hand-washing stations have been installed.
3
CBi is a multi-stakeholder initiative transforming the way business networks engages before, during and after natural and manmade disasters and humanitarian crises to create more
resilient communities, increase local capacity and alleviate human suffering. It is jointly supported by OCHA and UNDP. All CBi networks are engaged in the COVID-19 response. More
6
information on CBi activities in the COVID-19 response is available here.
G H R P P R O G R E S S R E P O RT : 31 A U G U S T 2020
Sectoral focus:
Protection
The COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating protection concerns in Over one hundred States (105 at time of reporting) have adapted registra-
humanitarian crises and exposing vulnerable and affected populations, tion procedures for new applicants. Colombia for example has remotely
refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced, migrants, and stateless registered 57,741 individuals (73 per cent women) since the start of the
people to new threats. Despite challenges, protection partners have pandemic, ensuring that they are able to access critical services.
delivered essential services, including through remote modalities, and
While many countries have taken measures to decongest detention facili-
seek to ensure that the rights of people of concern are respected.
ties, persons deprived of their liberty remain highly vulnerable due to over-
In countries receiving GHRP funds for COVID-19, some 6.7 million crowding, limited access to health care, and unhygienic conditions. Some
people have accessed protection services. Life-saving protection 109 countries adopted decongestion measures to curb the risk of COVID-19
actions include victim assistance and advocacy for rights, registration transmission in prisons following guidance issued by protection partners.
and documentation, specialized services to children, the elderly and
persons living with disabilities, individual case management for survivors XENOPHOBIA, STIGMATIZATION, AND DISCRIMINATION
of gender-based violence and referrals to medical care, psychosocial Stigmatization, including attacks against displaced and other
support, security, and legal aid. Coordinated protection action was marginalized people accused of spreading the virus, has increased since
guided by the COVID-19 operational minimum package of the Global the outbreak of the pandemic. Engagement with affected communities
Protection Cluster in IDP settings, and in refugee operations by UNHCR. has been critical in mitigating the impact of the virus itself, as well new
protection risks. Among 57 GHRP countries reporting, 47 per cent have
THE RIGHT TO PROTECTION FOR ALL documented COVID-related incidents of xenophobia, stigmatization or
To combat the spread of COVID-19, States have legitimately restricted discrimination against refugees, IDPs or stateless persons. Xenophobic
movement of people. Currently, 154 countries and territories have fully messages on social media or in the news have led to violence and
or partially closed borders. At least 79 make no exception for people discrimination against non-nationals, including incidents of eviction and
seeking asylum, limiting the rights of persons in need of international denial of service or expulsion from hotels.
protection. In addition to impacting refugees, many migrants have also States have also implemented COVID-19 policies that, in some instances,
found themselves stranded at border points and unable to return home. have had a discriminatory effect against refugees, asylum-seekers, and
Protection partners have worked with state authorities on adaptive other displaced persons. Border authorities in some countries have
measures for the registration of new asylum applications by mail, phone, denied the disembarkation of displaced persons arriving by sea without
email, and online to ensure that those fleeing persecution and danger are first determining their need for international protection or access to
still able to do so. Similar attention has been applied to the situation of COVID-related health services.
those who found themselves stranded and unable to exercise their right
to repatriate and reunite with their families across or within borders.
SAN ANTONIO DEL TACHIRA. VENEZUELA 7
A protection officer delivers hygiene kits to migrants at a community center. OCHA/Gema Cortes
G H R P P R O G R E S S R E P O RT : 31 A U G U S T 2020
KEEPING COMMUNITIES INFORMED AND ENGAGED
To mitigate the impact of COVID-19 protection actors have increased communi-
Response to Gender-
cation with communities and leveraged existing community-based structures to Based Violence (GBV)
maintain two-way communication. Community and religious leaders, outreach
volunteers, members of women’s and youth groups have disseminated information
going door-to-door, bicycling to isolated communities, assembling in small groups,
or using megaphones and loudspeakers. Thirty-nine countries report that they have
undertaken information campaigns reaching remote or otherwise hard-to-reach
areas inhabited by refugees, IDPs, migrants and stateless people.
As concrete examples, some 614,000 individuals were reached though WhatsApp
groups, outreach volunteers, and mass communication campaigns in Syria.
Teachers, community health workers, and hygiene promoters in Eastern Chad
reached over 128,000 refugees (96 per cent of the refugees in the province).
In Sudan, 54,000 South Sudanese refugees received risk communication on
awareness, health promotion, infection prevention, and stigmatization. An
ELIYA, DR CONGO
assessment conducted at a later stage showed that 96 per cent understood the Focus group for women organised by the Transcultural
prevention messages received, including where to go to for assistance if they Psychosocial Organisation Credit: Alioune Ndiaye/OCHA
develop COVID-19 symptoms.
Gender-based violence has increased throughout
Protection actors also bolstered call centres with integrated voice response the pandemic. Countries in all seven regions (and
in target languages and established 24/7 protection hotlines, followed by 24 of 26 GBV Areas of Responsibility) report
interventions aimed at safeguarding access to rights and services. As one increased incidence of GBV, including a surge
example, in Colombia assistance was provided to more than 20,000 Venezuelan in family disputes and intimate partner violence.
refugees and migrants, returnees and internally displaced people via 47 helplines. There is also evidence of a rise in harmful practices
In the Democratic Republic of Congo humanitarian partners reached 254,000 against girls, such as female genital mutilation and
refugees and IDPs through awareness-raising across the country via group child marriage, which have been reported in 15 out
discussions, flyers, and door-to-door messaging. of 26 GBV Areas of Responsibility.
In addition, millions of displaced and stateless people were reached through bulk To meet this challenge, GBV actors in 40 of 52
SMS texts, audio and text WhatsApp messages. Chatbots were developed to GHRP countries (77 per cent) report that GBV
respond to common questions, and communication trees deployed to propagate services have been maintained or expanded in
accurate information across communities. Two-way communication via social response to COVID-19. Service providers have
media proliferated on Twitter, Instagram, Trello, as well as dedicated Facebook, adapted existing referral pathways and bolstered
Kobo and helpline pages in multiple languages, including sign. All 60 countries community-based protection. Protection staff in
that report against this GHRP indicator state that functioning feedback and countries such as Kenya, Pakistan, South Sudan,
complaints mechanisms have been set up. and Zambia have created or expanded 24/7
multi-language hotlines that are key entry points
Connectivity, however, remains a significant challenge. In conflict-affected areas
for survivors. For example, throughout Colombia,
of Chad, Libya, Niger, and Yemen, connectivity issues hamper the ability to ensure
protection partners established 29 information
vulnerable communities are kept informed. Connectivity issues are also restricting
kiosks and GBV focal points providing orientation,
the capacity to monitor rights violations and manage the COVID-19 response. In
case follow-up, psychosocial, and legal support
central Rakhine, Myanmar, an internet ban has been in place for several months, and
for GBV survivors by phone and email. Many
the internet was inaccessible in Ethiopia for three weeks in July. To reach those
operations like Lebanon have also broadened their
without access to technology, the use of radio and TV to broadcast COVID-19
network of community outreach volunteers who
public service announcements has been used. For example, in Burkina Faso, a daily
serve as a safe and trusted means to refer GBV
COVID-19 news programme was broadcast on 37 radio stations in local languages.
survivors to services. Operations in Zimbabwe and
ENSURING ACCESS TO PROTECTION AND EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN Mozambique distributed SIM cards and phone
Child protection risks have escalated across operations – 23 Protection Clusters credit to community mobilisers to ensure survivors
report increased incidents or heightened risks of violence against children have access and referral to vital protection
because of COVID-19 measures. To ensure age-appropriate and accurate services. Protection actors in Syria are conducting
information, child protection partners use child-friendly communication methods virtual trainings on GBV for community volunteers
across operations. With full consideration of the factors of age, gender, cultural/ and hotline staff.
religious identity and education level, messages are designed in consultation
with parents, caregivers and with the children themselves, and delivered through
posters, songs, storytelling and drama. Protection partners support community-
based mechanisms to protect children, including child protection committees,
parenting groups, adolescent clubs, community volunteers, sports and child
friendly spaces, and life-skills education groups.
8
G H R P P R O G R E S S R E P O RT : 31 A U G U S T 2020
In Afghanistan home-based and door-to-door psychosocial support THE CHALLENGE LIES AHEAD
kits for children and families were accessed by 100,724 people in the The pandemic is disproportionately affecting people who were already
first half of this year. In Chad, protection staff mobilized community vulnerable due to their gender, age, disability, displacement status, or be-
child-protection networks, preschool teachers, and mother-teacher- longing to marginalised or discriminated groups. But the real challenge
associations to conduct door-to-door sensitization of COVID-19. In lies ahead. The humanitarian community will now have to respond to the
Bangladesh, Ecuador, Pakistan and Ukraine, procedures for remote case pandemic while lockdowns ease due to socio-economic pressure felt at
management include assessments and counselling sessions for children. both household and national levels, increasing the risk of transmission.
Protection partners in Ukraine increased emergency assistance to
Donors have given generously in the fight against COVID-19; however, se-
unaccompanied and separated children to cover basic needs and rent. In
vere underfunding for protection activities is limiting the capacity to moni-
Ethiopia and Ecuador, monitoring of care arrangements continue to take
tor trends and identify interventions for collective protection outcomes. In
place through phone calls and the mobilization of community volunteers.
many countries, such as Cameroon, DRC, Haiti, Mozambique, Myanmar,
While out of school, children are exposed to further risks of armed Niger, Nigeria, Ukraine and Zimbabwe - the Protection Cluster remains
recruitment and forced labor (reported by 26 Protection Clusters). severely underfunded which is ultimately weakening the overall response.
Therefore, protection partners have been working to ensure education The humanitarian community will need to invest and sustain investments
programmes can reach children living in some of the most vulnerable in protection programming to respond to the documented increase of pro-
communities. tection risks as well as impoverishment, unemployment, civil unrest, and
other associated impacts of COVID-19 that are on the horizon.
Many countries are maintaining national education programmes, including
for displaced populations, via radio, online, and television. Currently,
645,000 refugee children and youth are out of school due to mandatory
school closures. Many of these children are supported with distance/
home-based learning. For example, in Mali distance learning for forcibly
displaced children is ensured through broadcasting school lessons on
national TV and the distribution of 5,500 solar-powered radios for school
children. UNHCR Kenya supported pre-recorded locally developed lessons
delivered by teachers on radio for primary and secondary school students,
while 2,500 secondary school students accessed learning materials in
audio, video and print format through WhatsApp.
9G H R P P R O G R E S S R E P O RT : 31 A U G U S T 2020
Sectoral focus:
Food security
The COVID-19 pandemic is threatening to push millions of people to access to agricultural inputs and labour (as observed for example in Burun-
the verge of starvation. For millions already struggling to cope with di, Central African Republic, Honduras and Sudan), and disrupted seasonal
the impacts of conflict, climate change, a desert locust upsurge, and migratory patterns of pastoralist communities (as observed for instance in
economic turbulence, COVID-19 is yet another shock undermining Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Somalia, and Sudan).
their livelihoods and pushing them towards acute hunger and malnutri-
However, the magnitude of the pandemic’s impacts varies widely by
tion. There is growing evidence demonstrating that essential COVID-19
country. For example, in the Horn of Africa, the main driver of acute food
mitigation measures are exacerbating and amplifying pre-existing
insecurity remains the desert locust upsurge, while in Afghanistan, a ma-
vulnerabilities and drivers of acute hunger, with impacts on food security
jor emerging issue is livestock disease outbreaks, as veterinary services
on both the supply and demand sides. People in 27 countries are at risk
have been halted or slowed by both continued violence and COVID-related
of significant deteriorating food security in the next six months according
restrictions. As a result, in food crisis contexts, it is necessary to address
to a recent joint FAO-WFP hunger hotspots analysis, with COVID-19 com-
rising humanitarian needs in a way that takes account of existing and oth-
pounding existing vulnerabilities. 4
er emerging shocks, with the pandemic as one of the drivers of increasing
Between April and July 2020, Integrated Food Security Phase Classifica- acute hunger.
tion (IPC) - or Cadre harmonisé (CH) in French - analyses have been un-
Funding remains poor for food security interventions, despite widespread
dertaken in 11 countries (Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, the Central
recognition of a potential massive food crisis in many vulnerable and high-
African Republic, Honduras, Madagascar, Mozambique – urban analysis,
ly exposed contexts Food security sector partners have undertaken an
Nigeria, Somalia, the Sudan and Yemen – partial analysis). In six (Burkina
extensive reprogramming of pre-existing interventions in order to counter
Faso, Central African Republic, Honduras, Nigeria, Somalia and Sudan), a
the impact of the pandemic and support the most vulnerable people in
significant deterioration of the food security situation has been observed
continuing to access and produce nutritious food.. Urgent and massively
compared with the 2019 peak. In Burkina Faso, the number of people ex-
scaled-up assistance is needed now to address the magnitude of the po-
periencing crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity tripled, while the
tential crisis. Critical agricultural seasons, livestock movements in search
figure rising by 60 to 70 per cent in Honduras, Nigeria, Somalia and the
of pasture and water, food harvesting, processing and storage cannot be
Sudan, and increasing by almost one-third in the Central African Republic.
put on hold. A massive scale up of food and livelihoods assistance – sim-
Burkina Faso has, for the first time ever, reported areas classified in
ilar to the one made in 2017 to avert famine in northeast Nigeria, Somalia,
Emergency (CH Phase 4) and populations in Catastrophe (CH Phase 5).
South Sudan and Yemen – is needed to avert a worst-case scenario and
Evidence from the field shows that in rural areas, necessary COVID-19 re- bring millions back from the brink.
lated restrictions may have reduced agricultural production due to limited
4
An updated analysis and map of hunger hotspots will be published in September in the joint FAO-WFP Early Warning Early Action report.
TRIPOLI, LEBANON 10
Humanitarian workers fill vans with food parcels and hygiene items. Paul Assaker/CAREG H R P P R O G R E S S R E P O RT : 31 A U G U S T 2020
PRESERVING AND SCALING UP CRITICAL HUMANITARIAN FOOD, NUTRI-
TION AND LIVELIHOOD ASSISTANCE
Story from the field
An immediate priority has been to ensure that ongoing humanitarian livelihoods as-
sistance and food production among the most vulnerable groups was not affected
by the pandemic. Partners have adapted and scaled-up distributions of agricultural
inputs and livestock assistance to ensure continuous food production and income
generation in the most vulnerable areas.
Between March and July 2020, FAO provided emergency livelihoods assistance to
two million households in 34 countries. These were already vulnerable prior to the
pandemic. FAO has supported over one million farming households (approximately
6.1 million individuals) 5 with crop and vegetable production inputs to sustain plant-
ing seasons and counter pandemic-related challenges linked to labour shortages
AFGHANISTAN
and limited access to inputs. Livestock assistance (animal health services, fodder,
FAO'S poultry training projects specifically targeted women.
feed) to 800,650 households (approximately 4.6 million people) has been provided,
including facilitated access to water, protection of transhumance corridors, and As essential COVID-19 containment measures
access to markets and information on COVID-19 containment measures among were rolled out in Afghanistan, businesses
nomadic populations.6 struggled to continue and many workers found
themselves without a source of income. With
WFP is mobilising to meet the needs of up to 138 million people in 2020. Given that
no social safety net, many families faced serious
cities are bearing the brunt of the COVID-19 crisis (accounting for 90 per cent of
constraints in accessing enough food and meeting
cases), more than half of WFP’s operations are now scaling up direct assistance in
basic needs.
urban areas, some for the first time.
Hafizullah, a carpenter in Ghor province with seven
UNDP, in partnership with other agencies, has supported over 2.4 million people children, found himself wondering how to cope.
through the provision of agricultural seeds/inputs, start-up packages for micro FAO and a local partner run a project that focuses
and small businesses recovery, cash for work, training and employment creation on enabling vulnerable women-headed families
in Bangladesh, Colombia, Djibouti, Ecuador, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Togo, to bolster their incomes through poultry and
and Uganda. vegetable production. This created an opportunity
to support local artisans and Hafizullah was
ADAPTING ASSISTANCE AND MESSAGING
contracted to produce doors and windows for the
Assistance programmes have been adapted to safeguard the health and safety
chicken coops that would be distributed to the
of beneficiaries as well as humanitarian staff. This includes using more physical
women, enabling him to cope with the lockdown
distancing, for example adopting digital alternatives for cash and input provision,
and building closer links between the women-
as well as alternative food distributions, such as cooked meals, take-home rations
headed households and their community. “I was
and fortified foods.
very concerned about how I can continue to feed
Alongside these, food security actors are providing COVID-19 sensitization and pre- my family during the lockdown, but with the help of
vention messaging. In Somalia, existing mobile money platforms have transitioned this project, I was able to survive the most difficult
fully to mobile transfers and expanded to include cash+ livelihoods assistance times. FAO helped me to sustain my business
programmes. Tailoring accurate information and guidance to contain risk trans- during the COVID-19 crisis”, he said.
mission for the context of rural farming, fishing and pastoral communities is key.
This includes key messaging on COVID-19 prevention for people along the food
supply chain including WHO advice on COVID-19 prevention for the public. Ongoing
COVID-19 messaging campaigns reached an estimated 3.5 million people between
March and July 2020.
MINIMIZING INTERRUPTIONS TO CRITICAL FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS AND
ENSURING THE FUNCTIONING AND RESILIENCE OF AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS
The proper functioning of market chains and the flow of agricultural products are key
factors influencing food security and nutrition. Primary and secondary data being
collected indicates that food processing, storage, marketing and transport are being
particularly affected by COVID-19 risk containment measures. Post-harvest losses
especially among small-scale producers are increasing due to reduced capacities of
storage and processing facilities, limitations with transport and access to national
and international markets. Fruits, vegetables, milk and meat products are particularly
affected. In Afghanistan, local traditions are being combined with modern tech-
5
An estimated 2.4 million women benefit from FAO’s crop and vegetable production support.
6
An estimated 1.96 million women are among those benefitting from FAO’s livestock support. Among
these households, 45,463 (representing approximately 225,582 people) also received cash as part of
11
FAO’s Cash+ approach.G H R P P R O G R E S S R E P O RT : 31 A U G U S T 2020
niques to build local capacity for food processing, while constructing cold REACHING EXCLUDED GROUPS AND TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE
storage, zero energy storage units and warehouses to safely store local SPECIFIC IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON WOMEN AND GIRLS
produce. In Sierra Leone, women farmers and youth are being trained on The Colombian department of La Guajira has one of the highest incidenc-
processing and preservation of vegetable and fruits and marketing; and es of poverty in the country and local populations have been hosting a
negotiating market corridors for women during COVID-19 lockdowns. growing number of returnees and migrants from Venezuela. With Wayúu
families reliant on the sale of artisan products in local markets for their
SUPPORTING GOVERNMENTS TO REINFORCE AND SCALE UP incomes, the existing support to the community was adapted to move
SOCIAL PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND STRENGTHENING BASIC the Wayúu market online, enabling more than 79 artisan workshops to
SERVICE DELIVERY continue generating an income and meeting their families’ needs despite
To effectively mitigate the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, action containment measures. In West Africa, FAO has launched a "household
to realize the Grand Bargain commitments to improve the effectiveness basket" initiative with UN Women and UNFPA, which aims to bring to-
of humanitarian response and ‘leave no one behind’ is vital. Partners gether producers (especially women’s cooperatives) who cannot sell their
have been advocating and acting on the scale up of the use of cash food products because of restrictions related to COVID-19 and house-
where appropriate, in both the humanitarian and social protection holds that are facing food and nutritional insecurity, especially those
response, to meet the needs of people affected by COVID-19 and in par- headed by women. In Nepal, WFP is supporting UN Women to provide
ticular in the rural areas. Since March, FAO has supported over 1.1 million cash transfers to 600 female-headed households from vulnerable and
people (47 per cent of whom are women) with cash-based assistance. marginalized groups in response to COVID-19.
FAO used the Cash + approach to support 50 per cent of these. WFP’s
support to governments to provide cash-based transfers include a pro-
gram in Ethiopia to reach 17,500 people; activities in Nairobi, Kenya to aid
279,000 people living in informal settlements; and assistance for 180,000
food-insecure and vulnerable people living in disadvantaged, high-density,
and low-income urban and peri-urban areas across Zambia.
12G H R P P R O G R E S S R E P O RT : 31 A U G U S T 2020
Financial overview
GHRP REQUIREMENTS (US$) FUNDING (US$) COVERAGE TOTAL HUMANITARIAN FUNDING TO COVID-19 (US$)
10.31 B 2.36 B 23% 4.34 B
OF WHICH:
Towards GHRP 2.36 B
Outside GHRP 1.98 B
GHRP REQUIREMENTS GHRP FUNDING US$ billions FUNDING OUTSIDE GHRP FUNDING TOWARDS GHRP US$ billions
GHRP July
$10.31 B
10 4
GHRP May
$6.71 B
7.5 3
5 2
GHRP March 2.5 1
$2.01 B
March April May June July August March April May June July August
Source: Financial Tracking Service, OCHA. fts.unocha.org Source: Financial Tracking Service, OCHA. fts.unocha.org
Funding towards the GHRP and COVID-19 response has been generous, An additional $1.98 billion of humanitarian funding has been reported for bilat-
yet insufficient to meet the needs of the most vulnerable people in coun- eral support directly to Governments, funding to the Red Cross / Red Crescent
tries in crisis. Swift donor action at the onset of the pandemic resulted in Movement, and funding to UN agencies and NGOs not towards GHRP coun-
large amounts of announced funding in March and April. Reports on new tries, including more than $500 million to WHO’s Strategic Preparedness Re-
funding have slowed significantly, despite the increased requirements and sponse Plan and Contingency Fund for Emergencies which covers countries
alarming evolution of the pandemic, especially in the world’s poorest and beyond those identified in the GHRP. Some of this funding has been provided
most fragile countries. Access constraints, market closures, lockdowns flexibly to organisations and may eventually be recorded against the GHRP
and movement restrictions challenged national and international humani- requirements as projects are implemented and more details are received.
tarian partners, however, the funding provided made it possible to continue
As seen above, there is disparity among regions in terms of funding for GHRP
COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 humanitarian responses in most areas.
requirements, with the most serious shortfall in Latin America and the Car-
As of 31 August, funding for the GHRP requirements, including the finan- ibbean, with an average of only 11 per cent covered, despite the tremendous
cial needs for 63 countries, is $2.36 billion, or 23 per cent, leaving $7.96 increase in cases in this region. GHRP coverage in South and East Africa (16
billion of requirements unmet. This is $940 million more than reported per cent) is also significantly below the global average of 23 per cent.
in the first GHRP Progress Report at the end of June. Coverage varies
The cost of not taking extraordinary measures to fully fund the planned
widely by country, with over half of the country response plans funded
response is high. Without sustained financial and political commitment to
less than the 23 per cent global average, leaving significant gaps. The
fund the GHRP and coordinated humanitarian action, vulnerable groups
global operational support requirements of $1.03 billion are only 22 per
will continue to be hit hardest, including older persons, IDPs and refugees,
cent funded. Funding for the GHRP makes up more than 20 per cent of all
women and girls and persons with disabilities.
humanitarian funding reported to date in 2020.
REQUIREMENTS AND FUNDING BY REGION (FOR COUNTRIES INCLUDED IN THE GHRP)
REGION GHRP COVID-19 % OF TOTAL FUNDING
REQUIREMENTS FUNDING COVERAGE TOTAL FUNDING TOWARDS GHRP
Asia and Pacific 1.15 B 313.6 M 27% 436.8 M 72%
Eastern Europe 46.9 M 22.3 M 48% 29.1 M 77%
Latin America and Caribbean 1.05 B 114.2 M 11% 119.3 M 96%
Middle East and North Africa 2.22 B 527.8 M 24% 590.2 M 89%
South and East Africa 2.99 B 470.2 M 16% 546.9 M 86%
West and Central Africa 1.03 B 254.2 M 25% 300.1 M 85%
Source: Financial Tracking Service, OCHA. fts.unocha.org
13G H R P P R O G R E S S R E P O RT : 31 A U G U S T 2020
Funding per appeal (1/2)
INTER-AGENCY GHRP GHO
APPEAL REQUIREMENTS FUNDING COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS FUNDING COVERAGE
Afghanistan HRP 395.7 M 109.1 M 28% 1.13 B 330.9 M 29%
Burkina Faso HRP 105.9 M 38.6 M 37% 424.4 M 146.0 M 34%
Burundi HRP 38.0 M 9.6 M 25% 197.9 M 59.2 M 30%
Cameroon HRP 81.7 M 23.0 M 28% 390.9 M 100.7 M 26%
СAR HRP 152.8 M 39.5 M 26% 553.6 M 209.7 M 38%
Chad HRP 124.2 M 22.5 M 18% 664.6 M 195.0 M 30%
DRC HRP 274.5 M 93.0 M 34% 2.07 B 472.0 M 23%
Ethiopia HRP 506.0 M 72.2 M 14% 1.65 B 452.6 M 27%
Haiti HRP 144.4 M 23.6 M 16% 472.0 M 74.0 M 16%
Iraq HRP 264.8 M 77.3 M 29% 662.2 M 250.7 M 38%
Libya HRP 46.7 M 26.8 M 57% 129.8 M 110.9 M 85%
Mali HRP 75.4 M 32.0 M 43% 474.3 M 166.2 M 35%
Myanmar HRP 58.8 M 31.0 M 53% 275.3 M 112.3 M 41%
Niger HRP 82.3 M 19.2 M 23% 516.1 M 195.6 M 38%
Nigeria HRP 242.4 M 56.7 M 23% 1.08 B 353.6 M 33%
oPt HRP 42.4 M 33.9 M 80% 390.4 M 184.5 M 47%
Somalia HRP 225.6 M 55.3 M 25% 1.01 B 565.5 M 56%
South Sudan HRP 387.3 M 67.3 M 17% 1.90 B 616.0 M 32%
Sudan HRP 283.5 M 87.8 M 31% 1.63 B 714.9 M 44%
Syria HRP 384.2 M 107.4 M 28% 3.82 B 1.47 B 38%
Ukraine HRP 46.9 M 24.2 M 52% 204.7 M 60.2 M 29%
Venezuela HRP 87.9 M 19.5 M 22% 762.5 M 61.9 M 8%
Yemen HRP 385.7 M 77.7 M 20% 3.38 B 811.0 M 24%
Zimbabwe HRP 85.0 M 19.0 M 22% 800.8 M 151.2 M 19%
Burundi Regional RRP 65.4 M 9.6 M 15% 275.4 M 22.9 M 8%
DRC Regional RRP 155.7 M 10.3 M 7% 638.7 M 29.9 M 5%
Nigeria Regional RRP - - - - - -
South Sudan Regional RRP 128.8 M 12.7 M 10% 1.34 B 64.0 M 5%
Syria Regional 3RP 758.3 M 113.2 M 15% 6.00 B 1.32 B 22%
Horn of Africa and Yemen RMRP 31.5 M 0.3 M 1% 76.5 M 0.3 MG H R P P R O G R E S S R E P O RT : 31 A U G U S T 2020
Funding per appeal (2/2)
INTER-AGENCY GHRP/GHO
APPEAL REQUIREMENTS FUNDING COVERAGE
Benin COVID 17.9 M 0.1 M 1%
Colombia COVID 329.4 M 23.9 M 7%
DPR Korea COVID 39.7 M 1.8 M 5%
Iran COVID 117.3 M 56.8 M 48%
Lebanon COVID 136.5 M 40.6 M 30%
Liberia COVID 57.0 M 2.6 M 5%
Mozambique COVID 68.1 M 12.9 M 19%
Pakistan COVID 145.8 M 63.8 M 44%
Philippines COVID 121.8 M 11.4 M 9%
Sierra Leone COVID 62.9 M 8.9 M 14%
Togo COVID 19.8 M 2.7 M 14%
Bangladesh Intersectoral COVID 205.9 M 47.1 M 23%
Djibouti Intersectoral COVID 30.0 M 2.9 M 10%
Ecuador Intersectoral COVID 46.4 M 8.5 M 18%
Jordan Intersectoral COVID 52.8 M – –
Kenya Intersectoral COVID 254.9 M 17.8 M 7%
Rep. Of Congo Intersectoral COVID 12.0 M 8.3 M 69%
Tanzania Intersectoral COVID 158.9 M 2.9 M 2%
Uganda Intersectoral COVID 200.2 M 7.2 M 4%
Zambia Intersectoral COVID 125.6 M 13.3 M 11%
Famine prevention Global COVID 500.0 M – –
NGO envelope Global COVID 300.0 M 3.9 M 1%
Support services Global COVID 1.03 B 228.5 M 22%
TOTAL 10.31 B 2.36 B 23%
GHRP funding not yet identified for a specific activity or country response plan: $389.8 M
Please report your contributions to FTS to ensure full visibility of funding:
fts.unocha.org 15G H R P P R O G R E S S R E P O RT : 31 A U G U S T 2020
Funding the response:
Flexible and unearmarked funding
Early in the pandemic, it was recognized that flexibility, timeliness, and relying solely on contributions earmarked at the country level. Flexible
ensuring that frontline responders had the funding and materials they funding was also used to transport PPE and other life-saving supplies with
needed were essential for the COVID-19 response. This was important minimal delays, overcoming logistics bottlenecks caused by the pandemic
for preparedness, anticipatory actions and actual response on a global at the international and national levels.
scale in a rapidly shifting operational context. UN agencies and NGOs
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, when COVID-19 first hit the country,
have worked closely to develop the IASC Proposal for a Harmonized
UNICEF recognized the likely devastating impact of the virus on the
Approach to Funding Flexibility in the Context of COVID-19 (30 June)
country’s public health services, and the potentially lethal repercussions
and the IASC Proposals to Address the Inconsistency in Unlocking and
for children. Flexible resources allowed the rapid procurement of PPE and
Disbursing Funds to NGOs in COVID-19 Response (20 July). These
diagnostic test kits to support field health teams that were at extreme
documents outline the compelling reasons why flexible funding and
risk. The frontline teams were able to continue delivering vital services
timely pass-through from UN agencies to NGOs is crucial, not only for the
in clinics and communities across the country. Although critical, flexible
immediate response, but also in line with the long-term commitments
funding has not come at scale to meet all the gaps. Flexible humanitarian
outlined in the Grand Bargain to improve efficiency and effectiveness
funding has been beneficial for investment in preparedness and has
of humanitarian aid, to deliver flexible and unearmarked funding, and to
ensured the continuation of many critically underfunded programmes for
increase funding to frontline actors.
children, including nutrition, health, child protection, WASH and education.
According to a survey of seven UN agencies, the amount of flexible
WFP has used the flexible funding that had earlier been donated to its
(unearmarked and softly earmarked) support from donors for the COVID-
Immediate Response Account (IRA) to sustain underfunded operations
response has varied widely. Flexible funding as a per centage of total
and meet new, unforeseen needs. Given the global scale of the crisis and
COVID-19 funding received between 1 March and 31 July varies from 12 per
response, this has meant that WFP could shift the areas of focus to follow
cent to 65 per cent, with an average of 37 per cent. This is less than the 42
7
the epidemiological curve and evolving partner requirements. In addition,
per cent average previously reported for the 1 March to 31 May period.
flexible funding has supported global common services which provide
Flexibility regarding where and how to use resources has been critical transport and logistics services for the humanitarian and wider
advantageous in many ways. UNFPA used flexible funding to prioritize health response. Through the common services, WFP has complemented
PPE needs and logistics management as the crisis evolved. This allowed partners’ logistics capabilities, making critical COVID-19 items available
the agency to allocate resources globally based on needs, rather than across the globe.
7
The actual per centages are 52, 71, 89, 95, 98 and 100.
GOLONGOLONG, NIGERIA
Local NGO delivers water to internally displaced people who fled their homes. OCHA/Eve Sabbagh 16G H R P P R O G R E S S R E P O RT : 31 A U G U S T 2020
Timely, flexible funds have been used to support IOM operations in According to five of the UN agencies responding to the August survey,
countries such as Bangladesh, Mali and Somalia where the pandemic has on average, 19 per cent of the total funding received for the COVID-19
exacerbated existing humanitarian need. Flexible funds also allowed IOM’s response, including flexible funding, will be implemented by NGOs and/
country offices to change programme activities during the implementation or Red Cross / Red Crescent National Societies. For two agencies, this is
period when necessary. higher than the annual average. For one agency, cash / grant pass-through
funding is less than average mainly due to large sums of in-kind materials
Contributions to FAO's Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation
being procured and distributed to international and national partners.
Activities (SFERA), specifically the funding window on Early Warning
While it is difficult to accurately measure the speed at which funding is
Early Action, allowed FAO to quickly allocate funding to country-based
being made available to partners due to varying finance modalities, three
assessments in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Iraq, Liberia, Mali,
agencies reported an average of 30 days, and one reported 14 days.
Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe, and reinforce country
teams in Chad, Cameroon, DRC, and Haiti. This flexible funding instrument Despite the concrete progress made since the beginning of the pandemic,
also supported risk communication and efforts to prevent the spread of there is clearly more research, guidance and policy work to be done
COVID-19 along the food chain in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, regarding flexible and cascading funding. At this time of record high
Haiti, Iraq, Pakistan, the Sahel, Sudan, and Yemen. humanitarian needs, donors and recipients are encouraged to swiftly
provide more complete and transparent reporting to the Financial Tracking
UNHCR's rapid response was made possible by the unearmarked
Service to improve the tracking of second and third tier funding flows
contributions of several donors, which enabled it to allocate funds to the
from UN agencies to NGOs, with a special consideration to disaggregating
operations most in need, and to scale up response according to strict
funding allocated to national and local NGOs. This would lead to a better
protocols and via remote registration to access protection and services.
understanding of whether the COVID-19 response is being adequately
Similarly, flexible funding has allowed WHO to fill critical geographic and
resourced at appropriate levels and allow for early identification of
programmatic gaps. For example, in WHO's AFRO region, as a result of
blockages so that these can be quickly addressed. Next month’s GHRP
earmarking, some 70 per cent of the current funding received is directed
Progress Report will continue to explore these issues and will focus on the
to only 12 countries in Africa, spreading the remaining 30 per cent of the
NGO experience and perspective.
funds very thinly across the remaining 35 countries. Flexible funding has
helped ensure a more equitable allocation of funding across the region.
Seven UN agencies also reported that an average of 62 per cent of their
flexible funding has been or will be allocated to countries in the GHRP. 8
The remainder was used for global procurement and transport of supplies,
of which a large portion has gone to GHRP countries.
The quantity and speed at which funding is cascading from UN agencies
to frontline NGO and Red Cross/Red Crescent partners are long-standing
issues that took center stage in humanitarian financing discussions at
the onset of the pandemic. The aforementioned IASC guidance on these
subjects outlined steps to quickly increase the flow of funding from UN
agencies to NGOs as directly as possible (cascading). To ensure timely
passthrough of resources through UN agencies, the guidance suggested
several concrete measures to improve cascading, including no-cost
extensions, simplified procedures for release of funding, budget flexibility
and, where possible, cost-extensions to expand the scope of existing
programming. As a concrete example, UNHCR introduced flexibility
measures for the COVID-19 response to enable partners to implement
business continuity plans and make the necessary adjustments to their
programmes and operations, including accelerated release of financial
installments, no-cost extensions, reduced reporting requirements, and the
option for digital signatures.
17
8
The actual per centages for individual agencies are 30, 52, 71, 89, 95, 98 and 100.You can also read
